HOW TO PROTECT YOUR HUSBAND FROM A SHE-DEVIL “Resist the devil and [s]he will flee” James 4:7

Solomon’s big and strong; very few guys would pick a fight with him. But attacked by a woman? That’s a different story. He’s put at a huge disadvantage.

Cut to last week. This angry white witch in her mid 30’s shoves herself right in front of Solomon and starts screaming in his face . . . accusing him of stopping her from exercising her right to “choose.” If Solomon had responded to her rants, she would have hollered that he’s a bully . . . so it was up to me, his wife, to speak up. And I did.

What surprised me was that my response caused the screamer to shut up.

While she was shouting “You’re against woman’s rights!” I shouted back, “Hey I’m a woman too, and your mother’s on my side.”

Confounded, she asked “What does my mother have to do with this? You don’t know my mother.”

“I know this much: she didn’t abort you, so she must be on my side.” Just as light drives out darkness, this simple truth drove Jezebel away.  Temporarily.

Five minutes later she’s back with new accusations to discredit us.  She loudly declares that she’s a vegan and that we’re murderers because we eat meat.

That’s when I shot back, “Your for killing black babies, aren’t you?”  Once again, she shrew was cowed into silence. “What does race have to do with this?” she asked.

I ten took the opportunity to tell her everything I know about the racist, eugenicist, KKK-lover Margaret Sanger, founder of America’s largest abortion provider m(Planned Parenthood).  I ended the rant with my tried and true diagnosis: “You need Jesus.”

“Jesus? Are  you kidding? This is the 21st century, sweetheart. You need to read a book for a change.”  She ran off before I could say, “You need to read the same Book I read, The Book of Life, so you can choose life instead of death.”

We’re grateful to God that you, our dear friends, make a choice too – you choose to support us so we can help others make the right choice – the Life Choice ! ! !

May God bless you as much as we do and more, more, more ! ! !

Brenda & Solomon Milliner NY, NY bmillkiner10@gmail.com      October 2018

FROM SOUL-SAVER TO LIFE SAVER  “Behold, your reward is great in heaven.” – Luke 6:23

We hardly ever see Ida, the frail 97-yr-old who lives next door to us on the top floor of our Harlem brownstone.  But voila – there she was at our door last Tuesday afternoon.

We would hardly have known there was a fire raging in Ida’s kitchen from the sound of the tap on the door.  It was so faint it sounded more like a cat scratching than a neighbor knocking in an emergency.

“Neighbor,” she said, almost whispering, “I think there’s a fire in my oven.”

Think ? ? ? Think ? ? ?  We ran into her apartment and sure enough her oven was belching smoke and flame like a volcano.

Solomon grabbed the fire extinguisher in the hall, pulled out the pin, and went charging back into the kitchen.  He’d never used a fire extinguisher before but he handled it like a pro, and three minutes later there was still smoke but the fire had been completely quenched.

The fire inspectors who came later told us it was a “grease fire.”  Had it not been put out immediately, they said, the gas oven could easily have exploded.  “You’re a brave man, Mr. Milliner.  It could’ve been a disaster,” said the fireman, clasping Solomon’s hand.

We were quite surprised at the show of gratitude for Solomon’s rescue.  Ida’s devoted nephew, who came every day to take care of her every need, ran all over the neighborhood looking for Solomon and caught up with him in the laundromat.  His gratitude was overwhelming.

Next, the landlord himself actually picked up the phone and called Solomon to express his thanks.  And then, taking it to the hilt, the building agent showed up at our door with a fruit basket!

Funny, no one brings fruit baskets to our table in Times Square as a thank-you gift for warning them about the eternal fire.  No, for every word of praise we hear, we’re subjected to countless jeers mocking us and our Lord.  But the praise of men is not what we seek.  We seek a higher, more permanent reward from that Great Giver who gave his own life for us, to Whom we’ve given our lives.

You can’t imagine how thrilled we are to receive your prayers and support every month on the path we have chosen.  It’s not an easy path by any means, dear friend, but we’re encouraged by keeping our eyes on the prize, namely, that glorious reward all of us will be sharing in one day!  Love to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ — the true, one-and-only Eternal and Almighty Firefighter.

Brenda & Solomon Milliner NY, NY bmilliner10@gmail.com  May 2018             

HOW TWO MINUTES CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE     “Redeeming the time. . . ” Ephesians 5:16

Solomon and I understand that the people who stop at our gospel table are usually in a rush to keep their next appointment and can give us only a few moments of their time. We do not take these opportunities to witness one-on-one lightly, but pray that we’ll use these precious moments to plant seeds of eternal truth into their hearts.

Such an opportunity presented itself when a young man stood before me a couple of days ago. With his cool, fashionably torn jeans and tailored shirt, he fitted the description of “yuppie” to a tee.

I was surprised when he asked, “Did I kill Jesus?” Then he pointed to the top of his head, on which rested a yarmulke (with a New York Mets label). He was Jewish.

From the corner of my eye I could see his two buddies beckoning  for him to join them. I knew I didn’t have much time and I had a tough customer on my hands.

“You (meaning you personally) didn’t kill Jesus. He willingly laid down his life to pay for our sins.”

I challenged him. “Do you realize you need Jesus?”

“Jews don’t need Jesus,” he replied. To which I countered, “So you’re perfect? You don’t sin” He admitted he’s a sinner, and honestly helped me get to the crux of the matter. “And how can you, a sinner, be justified in the name of the Holy God?”

Repeating what he’d been taught all his life by rabbis, his answer was: “Prayers, good works, giving in the synagogue.”

In the background his friends were all yelling “Let’s go!” I had to make my point fast.

“According to the Torah, none of these things can make atonement for your soul.” His countenance betrayed a serious concern weighing on his mind.

“You’re in trouble with God!” I warned

He asked for pamphlets and stuffed them in his Gucci pockets as his friends pulled him away.

This exchange took less than two minutes. Two minutes that could make the difference between his spending eternity in Heaven or in Hell.

Thanks to you loving support, we’re able to plant seeds in the middle of Times Square, Satan’s HQ in New York. It’s you who provide the two-minute soil from which someday will spring Saved Souls.   Happy Thanksgiving – wish I could tell you how thankful we are for you!

Brenda & Solomon Milliner NY, NY   bmilliner99@yahoo.com  November 2017

THERE ARE PHARISEES IN OUR MIDST – LORD, COULD I BE ONE? “Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat.” — Matthew 23:24

Few revelations are more discouraging than watching a brother who professes to be a Christian – who you accept as a Christian — turn into a Pharisee before your very eyes

Solomon and I witnessed such a metamorphosis at our table when Joseph, a retiree, met our friend Theo, an office clerk, and refused to shake the younger man’s hand.

Joseph had always been friendly when he stopped at the table, so his rude behavior caught us by surprise. What was it about Theo that could have caused this reaction? Nothing really. He was just a typical middle-aged office worker – no tattoos, no facial piercings, nothing that could make one think he’s some kind of weirdo to be avoided.

So what did Joseph have against Theo? That Theo was wearing a cross around his neck. Pointing at Theo’s cross, Joseph sanctimoniously said “Thing of all the atrocities that have been committed in the name of the cross.”

While Solomon and I tried to explain that it’s OK to wear a cross, Theo took out his cell phone and began reading to us Scriptures that teach against allowing petty differences to cause division among believers.

Once again we were shocked as Joseph pushed Theo’s cell phone away. “I don’t read the scriptures from cell phones, and neither should you.” He then pulled a huge black Bible out of his duffel bag. Holding that big black Bible high above his head, he shouted “Look – everyone can see I’m reading the Bible. When you read from a cell phone, people don’t know what your reading.”

“Your motive is wrong,” Solomon said. “Your reading the good book just to be seen reading it!” Joseph snapped back, “What right have you to judge me?” and stalked off, still holding the huge black Bible above his head.

In a matter of minutes, Joseph’s actions told us louder than his words: “I do things to be seen of men. I feel superior to others and refuse to be judged by them. I am above all criticism. I choose to see the faults in others instead of their good points. I don’t practice what I preach – but you’d better! I’m content to ignore the “weightier matters” of religious life, like love and mercy.”

Lord, may Solomon and I never become Pharisees. Our task (and yours) is to spread the real Gospel of Christ by showing genuine love and encouragement to each other. Thank you, dear friends, for your continued love and support for our efforts in NYC to help build the Kingdom of God, one soul at a time.

Brenda & Solomon Milliner NY, NY  bmilliner99@yahoo.com  October 2017

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO WHEN THE THING YOU LOVE MOST IS TAKEN AWAY FROM YOU? “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” Job 13:15

Brad, an older gentleman, wandered over to our table early this summer looking as if he’d just lost his best friend. And in a way he really had.

After forty years of playing the organ at various churches in Brooklyn, his current organist job was being snatched away by a new pastor, who happens to be a woman. When Brad went away one weekend last May, she discovered he had no formal contract with the church. So without saying a word to him, she drafted a new organist contract, rammed it through the church council behind his back, and forced Brad to audition for the same job he’d held for the past seven years.

Having stacked the council with her friends, the pastor was then able to vote Brad out in favor of a handsome thirty-something jazz pianist with less than two years church experience. Brad was devastated and I felt terrible for him.

All summer long he was a constant wounded presence at out table and we ministered unto him as best we could, but it seemed impossible for him to accept his firing…by people he loved who called themselves Christians.

Our intense efforts to bring him closure were finally rewarded. He came back to report, “Brenda and Solomon, thanks to your patient consolation and prayers, and those of others, I’ve turned the corner.” His spirit brightened as he went on.

“I recognize that God works in mysterious ways, sometimes painful. Still, He did not take away my musical skills, nor my family and friends, nor my health nor my mind nor my creativity. All those living foundations remain strong and vibrant.

“What He’s done is to show me how self-pity turns into poison. It’s Satan who wants me  to wallow in self-pity, to re-play every last humiliating detain of my firing until the unfairness of it all spills into every nook and cranny of my being like acid.”

“No thanks, Satan. You serve up anger, bitterness, and a burning need for vengeance — a feast from Hell that can only block my efforts to re-build my life. It’s regeneration I need, not revenge.” Brad was still aching, but at least he’s becoming a free man again, not remaining a prisoner in a haunted house.

So what should you do when the thing you love most is taken away? Thank God ceaselessly for the gifts you still have, even as your wound heals in His good time.

P.S. The council members felt so guilty about firing Brad, they gave him a whopping $4,000 severance check. And what’s the first thing he’s going to do? Take Solomon and me out to dinner! We’ll be as grateful to our new supporter as we are to you, our long-time faithful friends. Love to you, you, you and especially you!

Brenda & Solomon Milliner NY, NY  bmilliner99@yahoo.com September 2017

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN CHRISTIANS DRINK THE KOOL-AID   “Whosoever abideth not in the doctrine of Christ receive him not into your house.”

II John 1:9-10

Most New Yorkers are content to blend in with the crowd, but there are those with kooky outfits and weird multi-color hairstyles who want to stand out like a sore thumb.

Well, the same can be said of Christians too. Most are satisfies with basic fundamental Biblical doctrines . . . but every now and then, a Christian will stop who takes pride in being different – in seeing something in scripture ever seen before . . . who are glad to share with us their extraordinary discoveries, no matter insane they are.

I think of Windell, a Caribbean brother who’s been living in New York for years. Solomon and Windell have a special bond, for both are photographers. But when Windell visits us in Times Square, he doesn’t talk about cameras . . . it’s all about Jesus.

Last week Windell came to see us with a new, world-shattering understanding that he wanted to share. And what a doozie it was!

When he saw he had our full attention, he made his grand, announcement: “JESUS IS NOT MY FRIEND!”

We were dumbfounded. We had never heard someone who claimed to be a born-again, Bible-believing Christian make such an outrageous statement!

But never mind Windell, what does Jesus have to say about the matter of friendship? Solomon immediately opened up the New testament and read the words that have blessed believers for over 2,000 years. “Henceforth, I call you not servants, for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth. But I have called you friends.” John 15;15

Windell pushed the Bible aside saying, “You gotta be deep to understand my concept.” Solomon and I looked at each other and silently concluded, “You gotta be a dope to be saying that in the first place. A deep dope.”

Realizing we were not impressed, Windell walked away muttering, “You just don’t get it.” And believe me, we were thinking the same thing about him.

We don’t accept anything that goes contrary to the teachings of the Holy bible, and we know you don’t either. Because of your help, we are able to deep-six all such misguided heretics. From one friend of Jesus to another, thank you for all your love and support.

Brenda & Solomon Milliner  New York, New York   August 2017

MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, AND MORE MOVING THAN THE MOVIE “…and on earth peace, good will toward men.”  Luke 2:14

When was the last time you went Christmas caroling – not in a church or an auditorium …but the old-fashioned way … outdoors?

The week before Christmas I did just that. I went to 34th Street and Seventh Avenue, right across the street from world-famous Macy’s, scene of the unforgettable movie, Miracle on 34th Street.

A friend called late one afternoon and said, “Brenda, I’ve had a sudden impulse to go out Christmas caroling. I know it’s cold and windy, but how about it? Will you join me and a few others?” On a lark, I said “Sure, of course I will!”

It’s good that Little is much when God’s in it, because there was only six in our make-shift choir. Oh, how the politically correct, leftist liberals must have loved our look: Two whites, three blacks, one Hispanic. Picture-book diversity ! ! !

Anyway, we weren’t terribly fancy. No outstanding voices. No singing in parts, just the melody. But what we lacked in luster, we made up for it in lust – that is, in lusty, robust, joyous singing!

Singing so full of the light and warmth of Christ that it began to draw freezing passersby to our little technicolor cluster, attracted by the immortal favorites like “Joy to the World” and “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing.” The joy was contagious. Before we knew it our ranks were swelling with strangers who took time off from their frantic shopping to stand in the bitter cold and sing with us.

Oh, how deeply moving it was to see blacks, whites, Asians, Latinos, young and old, raising their voices with us . . . strangers all, but friends all . . .  sharing together a tiny piece of heaven . . .  a teaser . . .  a true  “foretaste of glory divine.”

No more bitterness, no more ill will, no more racial strife – indeed, no more race!

The Rev. Tommy Vass, a dear friend from North Carolina, wrote: What makes a white Southern man love two black Yankees? One word: Jesus! If only the world would accept Jesus deep down in their hearts, there would no longer be any division in our nation.

Amen!  Hallelujah!  And we thank God for the new year giving us new opportunities to proclaim the Savior who has called us to call others to His Kingdom – the very kingdom we had but a taste of that miraculous afternoon. We thank God for friends like you . . . in this life and the one to come. And we thank you for your continued, loving support. HAPPY NEW YEAR ! ! !

Brenda and Solomon Milliner    New York, New York     January 2017